11th Week of Ordinary Time C – Tuesday

First of all, the Macedonians. From the text itself we can see how Paul and the disciples who ministered to them, were well aware that they were not a wealthy people. Yet, they gave of what they had, and beyond, and considered it a privilege to serve God in serving and helping out His disciples. 

This is beautiful. If only we could all have the same attitude and desire—to serve God, rather than to be attached to the things of this world, and to all pull one rope, help propel the same Bark of Peter, through the tumultuous waves that surround us today. 

In this benevolence, we catch a glimpse of our Creator’s goodness and how generous he has always been and will continue to be. Like God, who gives us not only his blessings and graces, but his very self.. in the Incarnation and at every Mass through the Holy Eucharist, the Macedonians gave their very selves in a generous outpouring of love on behalf of God’s people. This is perfection. When our Lord says, “Be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” he is indicating a generosity in love that goes beyond what is expected, just like God who, “… causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” Matthew 5:45. It is the kind of love that will never make sense to those who think in terms of earthly justice. God is asking us to be merciful beyond what ought justly be measured out. Our Lord said, “For the judgment you give will be the judgment you get, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” Matthew 7:2.

This is why we ought to always strive to be holy and heroic in our virtue like our Lord, and give the most we can. Again, in our Lord’s words, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.…” Matthew 5:39-41. He is the master, we are the student. We try to imitate Him, in our love.

Be lavish, rich, above and beyond, in your giving. Why? Because it is such a person who truly has embraced a life of faith rather than the sceptic’s heavy musings, and the atheist’s empty grumblings against even the idea of a benevolent God. The believer spends himself. The atheist, for fear that this is the be all and end all of existence, holds back, worries, accumulates, only to say “bye bye” to it all at end. Two different attitudes and worldviews; One raises you to heaven, the other places you in a comfortable prison. One liberates you, the other enslaves you. One brings you joy, the other, misery and depression. As followers of Christ, we wish that everyone finds the same joy we have, having sold everything to acquire that treasure hidden in the field. We have come to know, not what, but Who that treasure is.

So my brothers and sisters, let us love. Let us love the way Christ wants us to love and not as the world has exploited, and denigrated love for selfish gain. Our Blessed Mother shows us the way, through humility and a deep life of prayer, through a sacrificial spirit molded by an unwavering faith, through a love that pours out itself for the good of others, she knew joy, even amidst her sorrows. Now She reigns in heaven and waits for all of us for whom she has not ceased praying. May the Lord inflame our hearts as he did Her’s, and may He continue to guide us on our path to heaven. + Amen.